The New Tycoon Conquers Every Business

Chapter 9: The Rapid Ascent (1)

The deposit hit at 6:47 AM like clockwork.

>>Deposit received: $38,000.00 from LIMITLESS SYSTEM. <<

>>Current balance: $38,256.27. <<

Marcus sat on his couch-bed, staring at the number until it burned into his retinas. Thirty-eight thousand dollars. More money than most people in his neighborhood saw in a year. Enough to change lives, start businesses, solve problems that had seemed insurmountable a week ago.

The system interface materialized:

[TIER 1 MILESTONE APPROACHING]

[CURRENT PROGRESS: $47,287 / $100,000]

[ACCELERATED ADVANCEMENT AVAILABLE]

[TODAY'S GOAL: MAXIMUM SPENDING]

[TOMORROW'S REBATE: $76,512.54]

[RECOMMENDATION: STRATEGIC LARGE PURCHASE]

Marcus did the math again. If he spent his entire balance today—$38,256.27—he'd wake up tomorrow with over $76,000. Enough to pay Voss and still have capital for the car hunt. Enough to prove to Richard Hastings that he wasn't just some lucky kid.

But spending thirty-eight thousand dollars in one day required more than suits and office space. He needed something significant. Something that would serve multiple purposes.

His phone buzzed. A text from Keisha: Dad hasn't stopped smiling since yesterday. Thank you for believing in us.

An idea crystallized.

Marcus got dressed and headed to Morrison's Soul Food. Robert was already in the kitchen, the smell of frying bacon and fresh biscuits filling the air.

"You're becoming a regular," Robert said, not looking up from his work.

"I've been thinking about our conversation yesterday. About buying the building."

"Marcus, we just signed a partnership. Let's not go crazy."

"Hear me out." Marcus pulled up property records on his phone. "The building's owned by Midtown Properties LLC. They own forty-three properties in the city, mostly in transitioning neighborhoods. They're squeezing out local businesses to flip buildings to chains and developers."

"I know. They're squeezing me."

"What if we bought this building today? Right now. Cash offer, close within a week. We eliminate your rent, we own the asset, and we stop them from replacing you with another Starbucks."

Robert set down his spatula. "With what money? We just invested everything in operations."

"I'll front the capital. Add it to my investment stake, adjust the partnership terms."

"The building's worth at least half a million dollars."

"I know."

Robert's eyes narrowed. "You have that kind of money?"

"Not yet. But I will....soon."

"You're talking in riddles again."

Marcus leaned against the counter. "Mr. Morrison, do you not trust me?"

"I'm starting to. Against my better judgment."

"Then trust me on this. Let me make an offer today. If it falls through, we're no worse off. If it works, we own the building and we're insulated from every landlord squeeze play in the city."

Robert was quiet for a long moment, studying Marcus's face. "You're serious."

"Always."

"What do you need from me?"

"Contact information for Midtown Properties. And your blessing to make the offer."

---

By noon, Marcus had connected with Midtown Properties' sales agent, a woman named Patricia who sounded bored until he mentioned a cash offer. They agreed to meet at 2 PM to tour the building and discuss terms.

Marcus spent the interim at his office, running numbers and rehearsing his pitch. The building was four stories, Morrison's occupied the ground floor, and the upper three floors were residential units currently rented at below-market rates. Total property value: estimated $580,000 based on comparable sales.

Marcus needed to offer enough to be taken seriously but not so much that he depleted all his capital. After tomorrow's rebate, he'd have $76K. Not enough for the building, but enough for a substantial down payment that would show serious intent.

The system chimed:

[CREATIVE SOLUTION DETECTED]

[RECOMMENDATION: LEVERAGE PARTNERSHIP]

[MORRISON'S CASH FLOW + YOUR CAPITAL = FINANCING OPTIONS]

[RESEARCH: SMALL BUSINESS REAL ESTATE LOANS]

Marcus spent the next hour diving into commercial real estate financing. The downloaded business knowledge made it easier—concepts that would have been foreign last week now made perfect sense. If he could secure a loan with Morrison's business as collateral plus his own capital as a down payment, they could acquire the building without depleting all their resources.

Patricia met him at the building at 2 PM sharp. She was mid-forties, professionally dressed, with the slightly predatory air of someone who'd sold hundreds of properties and regretted none of them.

"Mr. Sylvester? I'm Patricia Chen, senior sales associate with Midtown Properties."

They shook hands. Marcus noticed her quick assessment of his suit, his age, his confidence level. He could see her calculations: young, probably using family money, likely to lowball or waste her time.

"Thank you for meeting on short notice," Marcus said. "I'm interested in acquiring this property for business expansion purposes."

"Of course. Let me show you the units."

They toured the building—the restaurant space Robert already occupied, then the three residential floors above. The apartments were old but solid, occupied by long-term tenants paying affordable rent. Patricia emphasized the "income-generating potential" and "value-add opportunity" of raising rents to market rates.

Marcus said nothing, just took notes and asked basic questions about mechanicals, property taxes, and current lease terms.

When they returned to the ground floor, Patricia pulled out her tablet. "The property is listed at $595,000. Given current market conditions, we're open to reasonable offers."

"I'll offer $540,000. All cash, close within ten days."

Patricia's eyebrows rose. "That's quite a bit below asking."

"It's above market value for this neighborhood. Your company wants to move properties quickly to reinvest capital elsewhere. I'm offering a clean, fast transaction with no contingencies."

"You have $540,000 in liquid capital?"

"I have access to sufficient capital to close, yes."

Patricia tapped on her tablet. "I'll need proof of funds before presenting any offer to my clients."

Marcus had anticipated this. "I can provide a bank statement showing available capital by end of business today. But I need your commitment that if I provide proof of funds, you'll present the offer to your clients immediately."

"That's standard procedure."

"Then we have a deal. I'll email documentation within three hours."

They exchanged contact information. After Patricia left, Marcus sat in Morrison's dining room and called the bank. He needed a letter confirming his account balance and ability to access additional funds—not technically a lie since tomorrow's rebate would give him what he needed, just creatively timed.

The bank agreed to provide the letter by 4 PM.

Marcus then called a commercial real estate attorney—another contact the system had helpfully provided. The lawyer, a sharp woman named Margaret Cho, agreed to represent him in the purchase and begin drafting paperwork immediately.

By 5 PM, Marcus had sent Patricia the proof of funds letter, formally submitted his $540,000 offer, and set everything in motion.

Current balance: $38,156.27 (after lawyer retainer and various fees).

Not enough spending for the day. He needed to zero out the account to maximize tomorrow's rebate.

Marcus pulled up luxury watch websites. He'd seen Derek wear a Rolex countless times—another symbol of wealth and status. If Marcus was going to sit across from Richard Hastings tomorrow night, he needed to look the part.

The Rolex boutique on Michigan Avenue was everything Marcus expected: hushed elegance, attentive staff, watches displayed like museum pieces. A sales associate named Thomas approached with a welcoming smile.

"Good evening, sir. Are you looking for something specific?"

"A Rolex. Something appropriate for business meetings. Under forty thousand."

Thomas's smile widened. "Excellent choice. Let me show you some options."

Twenty minutes later, Marcus walked out wearing a Rolex Datejust 41 on his wrist—steel and gold, elegant but not ostentatious. Price: $15,000.

Current balance: $23,156.27.

The system chimed:

[STATUS SYMBOL ACQUIRED]

[CREDIBILITY INCREASED]

[SPENDING CONTINUES]